Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Colorado does not issue a separate remote online notarization license. You need a current Colorado notary public commission, then you register with a state-approved RON platform. The Secretary of State's office keeps the approved technology provider list. The commission application fee is $10 for a four-year term, plus platform costs that typically run $25 to $50 per month.
Do you need a separate license for remote online notarization in Colorado?
No. Colorado has no standalone RON license apart from a standard notary commission. You need two things: a valid Colorado notary public commission issued by the Secretary of State, plus an account with a Colorado-approved remote notarization technology provider. That's the full legal threshold.
Colorado authorized RON under House Bill 20-1196, effective May 29, 2020, and the rules sit in the Colorado Revised Statutes at C.R.S. § 24-21-501 through § 24-21-530. [1][8] The statute creates no separate RON credential. It extends your existing commission to cover electronic and remote acts, as long as you use a platform that meets the Secretary of State's technology standards.
So, the short version. Hold a Colorado notary commission, sign up with an approved platform, and you're legally authorized to perform remote online notarizations in Colorado. No second application. No separate exam. No extra state fee beyond your commission.
Don't have a commission yet? That's step one, and the next section covers it.
What is the foundation: the Colorado notary public commission
Before anything RON-related, you need a Colorado notary public commission. Colorado commissions notaries through the Secretary of State under C.R.S. § 24-21-501 et seq. [1] The commission runs four years. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either a Colorado resident or someone with a place of employment or practice in the state.
The application runs through the Colorado Secretary of State's online portal. [2] You create an account, complete the online notary application, pay the filing fee, and take the required education course.
Colorado makes applicants complete a state-approved education course of at least three hours before the commission issues. This is a real requirement, not a suggestion. You also pass a proficiency exam through the SOS portal. Out-of-state courses do not count; the provider has to be Colorado-approved. [2]
Once the SOS approves your application, your commission certificate posts to your account. At that point you're a commissioned Colorado notary and can perform in-person notarizations. RON adds one more step.
How much does remote online notarization cost in Colorado?
Costs split into two buckets: the state side and the platform side.
The state side is cheap. The Colorado Secretary of State charges a notary commission application fee of $10.00, and that covers four years. [3] Some notaries also buy a paper seal or stamp ($20 to $40 at an office supply store) and a paper journal ($10 to $20), though Colorado requires electronic journal entries for RON acts, not paper ones. [1]
The platform side is where the money goes. RON platforms approved by the Colorado SOS typically charge $25 to $50 per month for individual notaries, though some add per-transaction fees or offer pay-as-you-go pricing. A few bundle identity verification, audio-video hosting, and electronic journal storage into one subscription. Others charge for each piece separately. Ask any platform you're weighing for a current pricing sheet, because these rates move.
Colorado caps the fee a notary may charge the signer at $5.00 per notarial act, including RON acts. [4] That cap applies to what you charge clients, not to what the platform charges you. Doing RON as a side business? The math is blunt. You need enough volume to cover your subscription and still hit your income target.
The platform subscription is the real variable. Twelve months of software dwarfs the $10 state fee.
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SOS commission application fee | $10 [3] | One-time per 4-year term |
| State-approved education course | $30 to $75 | Varies by provider |
| Electronic seal (optional) | $0 to $40 | Some platforms include it |
| RON platform subscription | $25 to $50/month | Confirm with each platform |
| Max fee you can charge signer | $5.00 per act [4] | Set by statute |
Which technology platforms does Colorado approve for RON?
Colorado requires notaries to use a state-approved technology provider for RON. The Secretary of State keeps the official list of approved providers and updates it as platforms are added or removed. [5] Names on past versions of the list include Notarize and DocVerify, but check the current list directly, because approvals change.
The statute sets minimum standards every platform must meet: real-time audio and video between the notary and each signer, identity proofing through credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication, a tamper-evident electronic seal, and an electronic journal that captures each act. [1] Colorado's rules track the Uniform Law Commission's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), which many states have adopted in some form. [6]
Picking a platform matters more than most new RON notaries expect. Some are consumer-facing and hand you the signer through their marketplace. Others are built for law firms or title companies and expect you to bring your own clients. Match the platform to how you plan to work.
How long does remote online notarization take to set up in Colorado?
From zero to your first RON session, plan on two to four weeks if nothing stalls. Here's how that breaks down.
The education course takes at least three hours, sometimes spread across a few sittings. [2] The SOS application itself is online and takes under an hour once you have your course completion certificate. Processing time at the SOS varies, and the state does not publish a guaranteed turnaround. Reports from notaries suggest one to two weeks for the commission to issue. Confirm current timing directly with the SOS when you apply.
Platform onboarding adds another one to five business days depending on the provider. Most platforms make you upload your commission certificate, set up your electronic seal, and clear their own verification before you can run sessions.
The session itself is fast. A single-document notarization takes five to fifteen minutes from the moment the signer connects. Identity proofing (credential analysis plus knowledge-based questions) is usually the longest part. Multiple documents or multiple signers stretch it out.
Already hold an active commission and just adding RON? You can often be live within a week. The bottleneck is almost always platform onboarding, not the state.
What are the electronic journal and seal requirements for Colorado RON?
Colorado law requires every RON act to be recorded in an electronic journal. [1] Each entry has to include the date and time of the act, the type of act, the title or description of the document, the name and address of each principal, the identity verification method used, and the fee charged. Your RON platform usually handles this automatically, but you own the records and their security.
Colorado also requires you to keep the electronic journal for at least ten years from the date of the act. [1] If you stop using a platform, export and store your journal records before you close the account. Notaries have found themselves locked out of their own records after switching platforms without exporting first. Don't be one of them.
For the seal, Colorado notaries must use a digital certificate that meets the state's tamper-evident standards. The approved platform usually supplies this, but confirm the certificate complies with Colorado's rules before you take paid sessions.
Can an out-of-state notary perform Colorado RON sessions?
Generally, no. Colorado's RON statute authorizes Colorado-commissioned notaries to perform remote online notarizations. [1] An out-of-state notary is not authorized to perform a Colorado RON act under Colorado law, even if that person is commissioned and RON-authorized in their home state.
Colorado does recognize notarial acts performed under another state's laws if those acts would be valid there. [1] So if a Colorado signer uses an out-of-state RON notary who's properly authorized at home, and the document is used in Colorado, the notarization may still be accepted. But that's the signer's situation, not yours as a Colorado practitioner.
A notary in a neighboring state who wants to serve Colorado clients has one clean answer: get a Colorado commission. Colorado lets non-residents with a place of employment or practice in the state apply. [2]
How does Colorado RON compare to neighboring states?
This matters if you're deciding where to get commissioned or which state's rules to benchmark against.
Colorado sits in the middle of the pack regionally. Arizona authorized RON in 2020 and runs a similarly short path with no separate RON license. [7] Utah has had RON since 2019 and is one of the earlier adopters. New Mexico authorized RON in 2021. Kansas has RON authorization too. Wyoming, as of mid-2025, had more limited RON authorization and a shorter approved platform list.
Every Colorado neighbor that passed a RON law follows the general RULONA framework, so the technology requirements and journal obligations look alike across state lines. [6] The real differences are in fee caps, commission application fees, and which platforms each state approves.
Colorado's $5.00 per-act fee cap is standard but on the lower end compared with states like Montana or Nevada, which set higher caps or none. If fee revenue per session drives your business model, that ceiling matters.
For how neighboring states structure their RON paths, see the remote online notarization license in Arizona and remote online notarization license in Alaska guides.
What ongoing compliance obligations does a Colorado RON notary have?
Your commission expires after four years, so renewal is your most predictable task. [2] The Secretary of State will notify you, but you're the one responsible for renewing before it lapses. Let it lapse and then renew, and you may have to meet the education requirements in effect at renewal, not the ones from when you first applied.
Past renewal, ongoing compliance means keeping your electronic journal current and secure, using only platforms on the current approved list, and keeping your contact information updated with the SOS. Change your name, address, or employer, and you update your commission record.
Colorado's notary statute carries misconduct provisions. Willful failure to comply with the RON requirements can lead to commission suspension or revocation. [1] The problems notaries actually run into aren't usually fraud. They're journal maintenance and unapproved technology. Check the approved platform list before you renew any platform subscription.
Building a RON practice and want a paper checklist of every state step plus the renewal cycle? RONPath's Colorado RON Add-On Kit ($99, one-time) walks through the current SOS requirements in document order. Find it at ronpath.com/start.
What's the step-by-step path to becoming a Colorado RON notary?
Here's the actual sequence, no fluff.
Step 1: Confirm eligibility. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either a Colorado resident or someone with a Colorado place of employment or practice. [2]
Step 2: Complete a Colorado-approved notary education course. At least three hours, covering Colorado notary law. Several providers offer it online. Cost typically runs $30 to $75. Keep your completion certificate.
Step 3: Apply for your commission through the Colorado Secretary of State's online system. [2] Submit your education certificate, pay the $10 application fee [3], and pass the state's online proficiency exam during or after the application.
Step 4: Wait for SOS processing. Times aren't guaranteed, so check directly with the SOS when you apply. Once approved, your commission certificate posts to your SOS account.
Step 5: Choose an approved RON platform. Review the current approved provider list from the SOS [5], compare pricing and features, and sign up. Have your commission certificate ready for onboarding.
Step 6: Set up your electronic seal and journal through the platform. Confirm everything meets Colorado's technical standards before your first paid session.
Step 7: Run your first RON session. Make sure the journal entry gets created automatically by the platform, or create it manually if the platform requires it.
For how Colorado's process compares operationally, the how to start remote online notarization in Colorado guide covers setup in more depth.
Common mistakes Colorado RON notaries make in year one
Using an unapproved platform is the most common mistake, and it's a bad one. Notarizations run on platforms not on the Colorado approved list may not be legally valid, which means the signer's document could get rejected. Verify the platform is on the current SOS list before your first session, more than at sign-up.
A close second is not exporting journal records before switching platforms. Moving from one provider to another? Download your complete journal archive first. Some platforms make it easy. Others bury the export function. Find it before you cancel.
Notaries also misread the fee cap. The $5.00 limit is per notarial act, not per document or per session. [4] A document needing three notarial acts (say, three separate signatures notarized) generates three acts, so the maximum notary fee to the signer for that session is $15. Some platforms show their own per-session fees on top of yours, which confuses signers. Be clear about what you're charging and why.
Some notaries also wait until their commission is nearly expired before thinking about renewal. The education step at renewal can take a week or two, and SOS processing adds more. Build a buffer of at least six to eight weeks before your expiration date.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for remote online notarization in Colorado?
Colorado issues no separate RON license. You need a valid Colorado notary public commission from the Secretary of State plus an account with a state-approved remote notarization technology provider. Both are required, but they aren't one single "RON license." The commission covers four years. Platform registration is ongoing and typically billed monthly by the provider.
How much does remote online notarization cost in Colorado?
State side: the notary commission application fee is $10 for a four-year term. Platform side: approved RON platforms typically charge $25 to $50 per month, though pricing varies and you should confirm directly with each provider. The statute caps what you can charge a signer at $5.00 per notarial act. Education courses required before your commission run $30 to $75.
How long does remote online notarization take in Colorado?
Setup takes two to four weeks for a new notary: the three-hour education course, one to two weeks for SOS commission processing (confirm current times with the SOS), and one to five business days for platform onboarding. An individual RON session takes five to fifteen minutes for a simple document. If you already hold an active commission, you can often be operational within a week of joining an approved platform.
Which platforms are approved for RON in Colorado?
The Colorado Secretary of State maintains the official approved technology provider list on its website. Names on past versions include Notarize and DocVerify, but the list changes. Always verify a platform's current approval status directly with the SOS before you sign up and before you renew. Using an unapproved platform makes your notarizations legally questionable.
Can I perform RON in Colorado if I live in another state?
Generally, no. Colorado's RON law authorizes Colorado-commissioned notaries. Non-residents who have a place of employment or practice in Colorado can apply for a Colorado commission. If you're in a neighboring state with no Colorado employment connection, you'd need to establish that nexus or accept that you can't legally perform Colorado RON acts.
How long is a Colorado notary commission good for?
Four years from the date of issuance. You renew through the Secretary of State's online system before it expires. Renewal may require you to meet the education and exam requirements in effect at the time of renewal. Build in at least six to eight weeks before your expiration date to complete the education course and allow for SOS processing.
Does Colorado require an electronic journal for RON?
Yes. Colorado law requires a notary to keep an electronic journal of every remote online notarial act, held for at least ten years. The journal must include the date, type of act, document description, principal's name and address, identity verification method used, and fee charged. Approved RON platforms typically create these entries automatically, but you are legally responsible for the records.
What fee can I charge for remote online notarization in Colorado?
Colorado statutes cap the notary's fee at $5.00 per notarial act. That limit applies to what you charge the signer, not to what the platform charges you. A single session with three separate notarial acts could generate up to $15 in notary fees. Some platforms add their own technology fee on top, which is separate from your notary fee.
What identity verification is required for Colorado RON?
Colorado requires identity proofing through at least two methods: credential analysis (the platform scans and authenticates a government-issued ID) and knowledge-based authentication (the signer answers questions drawn from public records). Both must pass before you can complete the notarial act. The approved RON platform handles the technical side, but you are responsible for confirming the process was completed.
Is Colorado RON accepted in all states?
Not automatically. Colorado RON notarizations are valid under Colorado law, but other states set their own rules for accepting out-of-state notarizations. Most states with RON laws include provisions accepting notarizations from other RULONA-based states, which Colorado follows. For high-stakes documents like real estate closings, confirm acceptance with the receiving jurisdiction before proceeding.
What happens if I use an unapproved RON platform in Colorado?
Using an unapproved platform puts the validity of every notarization you perform at risk. Documents notarized on non-approved technology may be rejected by courts, title companies, or other recipients. Beyond the document problem, it can also expose you to misconduct findings by the Secretary of State, up to and including commission suspension or revocation.
Do I need errors and omissions insurance for Colorado RON?
Colorado does not require notaries to carry errors and omissions (E&O) insurance as a condition of commissioning or RON authorization. That said, many notaries doing significant RON volume choose to carry it. Policies for notaries typically run $40 to $100 per year for $25,000 to $100,000 in coverage. Check with your platform; some include limited coverage in their subscription.
Can I notarize documents for signers located outside Colorado using my Colorado RON commission?
Yes, with caveats. Colorado law lets you perform RON acts for signers located anywhere, including outside Colorado and outside the U.S., as long as you are physically in Colorado when you perform the act and you use an approved platform. The document's receiving jurisdiction may have its own rules about accepting out-of-state or foreign notarizations, so verify with the end recipient.
How do I find Colorado's current approved RON platform list?
The Colorado Secretary of State's office publishes the approved remote notarization technology provider list on its notary section website. Search the SOS site for "remote online notarization" or "approved technology providers." The list is updated as platforms are approved or removed, so check it at least annually, and definitely before renewing a platform subscription.
Sources
- Colorado General Assembly, C.R.S. § 24-21-501 through § 24-21-530 (Notaries Public): Colorado RON authorized under this statute; electronic journal required for 10 years; approved platform required; $5 fee cap per act
- Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program: Three-hour education course and proficiency exam required before commission; four-year commission term; eligibility requirements including Colorado residency or employment
- Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program (commission fees and application information): Colorado notary commission application fee is $10
- Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-21-519, Notary Fees: Colorado caps the fee a notary may charge at $5.00 per notarial act, including RON acts
- Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program (approved technology providers): Colorado SOS maintains the official list of approved RON platforms notaries must use
- Uniform Law Commission, Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA): Colorado's RON rules follow the general RULONA framework, shared by many states
- Arizona Secretary of State, Remote Online Notarization: Arizona authorized RON in 2020 with no separate RON license requirement beyond the standard notary commission
- Colorado General Assembly, House Bill 20-1196 (Remote Notarization): Colorado authorized RON via HB 20-1196, effective May 29, 2020